William Robert McDonald Obituary
William Robert McDonald, Bob, was born on February 6th 1926 to father Bert and mother Flo (nee Flint) and sister Peggy. Bob was raised in Toronto's west end and attended Annette Public School and Western Technical Commercial High School. Bob studied commercial art and also enjoyed playing sports. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in August 1943 and served after training as a Navigator (wireless) with 133 Fighter Squadron. He was discharged on October 25, 1945 with the rank of Flying Officer.
Bell Canada hired Bob in September 1946 where he met his wife-to-be Doreen. They were married in 1948. Bob was father to Dale, Nancy Jane (Wayne) and Trish (Alex), grandfather to Meredith, Brent (Michelle), Meghan (Alex), Andrea (Jon), Trevor (Emily) and Blair (Jeff) and Reynaldo (Tammy), great grandfather to Joanna, Will, Makaio, Amaris, Myles, Zoe, Rylen, Eleanor and Audrey. Bob and Doreen were married for 75 and a half years.
In 1952, four years after Doreen and Bob were married, Bob became a Christian. It was due to the influence of Doreen and her friends and under the praying influence of Bob's grandparents and mother-in-law that Bob took this step of faith. Doreen and Bob were baptized at Leaside Baptist Church.
Bob enjoyed his 37 years of work at Bell Canada and eventually held many management positions in Toronto, St John's Newfoundland (Avalon Tel) and Montreal. He finished his career as the Section Manager, Organization and Development in Toronto.
Bob retired from Bell Canada in 1983 to accept the position of full-time worker with Don Valley Bible Chapel, a position he held until 1986. Over the years, he and was an elder at Leaside Bible Chapel, Don Valley Bible Chapel and Grace Baptist Church in Alliston, ON. He and Doreen enjoyed co-leading youth, young adult and small groups at many of the churches they attended. He also volunteered at Camp Mini-Yo-We and helped develop their Leaders-In-Training (LIT) program and was aptly nicknamed "Coach".
From 1986-1989, Bob acted as Provincial Director for Child Evangelism Fellowship Ontario. Next, he served on the pastoral staff of Faith Baptist Church in Huntsville, ON. He eventually fully retired.
Bob was a lifelong learner and enjoyed bible studies, word studies, leadership development and organizational management, especially developing job descriptions. He was never far from a white board that he used for planning and strategizing. His leadership style was to coach and come alongside people to encourage them to become the best they could be. He especially enjoyed interacting with pastors over a cup of coffee or breakfast and wanted to support them, pray with them and encourage them.
Bob was a gifted artist who enjoyed sketching and oil painting. He was a loyal sports fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Blue Jays. In 1967, he attended the seventh game of the Stanley Cup finals and helped cheer the Leafs on to win the Stanley Cup.
Bob was a man of great faith who loved God and loved people. He deeply loved his family and was a fabulous husband, Dad, Poppa and friend. He had a great sense of humour and an amazing knack of connecting with people easily, making them feel seen and heard. He built genuine relationships with people of all ages and backgrounds. Many family members and caregivers at Bethany Lodge were given nicknames that created a special bond. He was a grateful man who naturally showed appreciation and thanks.
In the last years of his life, Bob encouraged people by designing and sending his "Little Bird" cards that expressed his love for God and people.
Bob moved to Bethany Lodge in 2017 where he passed away on July 29th 2024.
